SPANISH PRESIDENT DODGES THE FLACK AND CLIMBS INTO THE CENTRE RING
For President Zapatero of Spain his political honeymoon is distinctly over. Two years of incessant personal and policy attacks by a rampant opposition convinced of their own divine right to govern, have left their mark albeit on a stridingly successful figure that emerges as a challenge not just to the opposition team but to diehards in Europe and perhaps even in the international scene who see things very differently. The opposition tactic with respect to the ruling Partido Socialista and in particlar against its Leader has been a scurrilous smearing campaign desgined to provoke public fears against his policies. Countless television hours dedicated to politics have turned most of Spain into even more apathetic electors with most of their content zapped at the mere sight. In truth the undermining campaign has in the main triggered off public resentment at anthing that could not classifed as a gain for Spain in whatever sector of the social or politic scene abroad. This has been aggravated by the constant finger pointing during delicate operations undertaken by the Government to bring Spain into line with European and national interests. The previous government headed by President Aznar left Spain in turmoil with the participation in the invasion of Iraq and the realisation that Europe could not forever plug the huge economic holes in the Spanish economy which in the main produces very little.